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      5 Ways To Build Killer Core Strength

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      When you think about your core, you’re likely thinking about those all-important ab muscles that peak out of crop tops. But there’s way more to them. According to Catherine Viljoen, a biokineticist at Virgin Active,

      “The core includes a number of muscles that run the length of the spine and help stabilise the shoulders, spine and pelvis. These muscles create a strong base of support from which powerful movements can be generated and transferred to the working arms and legs.”

      When these core muscles are in great shape they’ll go a long way to help prevent injury, which is why it’s so important to create good core strength.

      How do you know you’re activating your core?

      In order to make sure you’re training the right muscles, you first need to identify which muscles you’re actually trying to use. The best way to identify the muscle used for core strength is to:

      Lie on the floor face-up with both knees bent at 90° and feet flat on the floor;

      Place your hands (2 fingers) at the top of your hip bones. Now move your fingers slightly to the front of the hip bones and push firmly into the skin;

      Now cough or laugh. The muscle you feel bulging at your fingertips is the transverse abdominus muscle contracting – this is one of the key muscles making up the core.*

      The challenge is to try to maintain core activation throughout your regular gym exercises and throughout the day, even while standing in a queue or sitting at your desk.

      How Will It Help?

      They can take years off your appearance. Don’t think that because many of your core muscles are ‘invisible’ (buried underneath other muscles), you don’t need to pay attention to them. What better way to show off than a good posture?

      They protect your insides, keep your spine and back healthy and they improve balance.

      They protect you from injury. If the core muscles are weak, other muscles have to pick up the slack and eventually, this may result in pain or injury, particularly to the lower back.

      Once you’ve mastered the basics of core activation, you may be ready for some challenging exercises to really sculpt killer core strength.

      Core Strength Exercises

      1. Plank

      Do a 30-sec hold – 1 set of 5 repetitions

      Support yourself on your elbows in a low position, with your knees on the floor. Contract your abdominal muscles, lifting your knees off the floor and making sure that you’re in a stable position. Your back should be straight throughout this movement (ankles, hips and shoulders in line). Hold for 30 seconds and return to starting position and repeat.

      Tip: To make this exercise easier, keep your knees on the floor.

      2. Reverse Crunch Knee Raises

      Do 2 sets of 15 repetitions

      Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and off the floor. Your back should be flat against the floor and your hands can be positioned at the sides of your head. Contract your lower abdominal muscles, bringing your knees towards your chest. Return slowly to starting position. Repeat.

      Tip: This is not a big movement. You should just be lifting your glutes off the floor in a controlled way.

      3. Segmental Bridge

      Do 1 set of 5 repetitions

      Lie flat on your back with your knees bent. Your arms should be straight with your hands lying at your sides. Lift your hips off the floor by rolling through the pelvis and continuing the motion by rolling segmentally through each vertebra from the pelvis to the rib cage. At the end of the movement, your knees, hips and chest are in a straight line. Hold for three seconds and then return slowly to the starting position by rolling your spine, vertebra by vertebra. Repeat.

      Tip: Roll up for a count of 6, then down for a count of 6. The most benefit comes from performing this exercise slowly and controlled.

      4. Four Opposite Arm and Leg Raise

      Do 1 set of 15 repetitions (alternating)

      Position yourself on all fours. Your knees should be aligned under your hips and your wrists under your shoulders. Keep a neutral spine position. Lift your left arm to shoulder height and your right leg to hip height. Hold for a few seconds (think of reaching forward with your left hand and stretching back with your right foot). Return to starting position and repeat on the other side.

      Tips: Be careful not to tilt your hips or arch your back. If you’re new to this exercise, perform the exercise lying on your tummy, lifting the opposite arm and leg. Once mastered, progress to this exercise. Be careful not to lift your head during the movement – look down and not ahead of you.

      5. Stability Ball Knee Tuck (advanced)

      Do 1 set of 10 repetitions

      Position yourself in a press-up position with your hands on the floor, about shoulder-width apart, and your ankles and feet resting on top of the stability ball. Bend your knees, so that they come towards your chest. Keep your elbows straight (not locked). Stop the movement once your feet are on the ball and your knees are tucked in. Hold for 3 seconds. Then straighten your knees and roll back to the starting position. Repeat.

      If you have a medical condition or injury, please chat with your doctor or biokineticist before attempting these exercises. More

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      The 15-Minute Countdown Workout For All-Over Quality Gains

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      Productivity experts often tell clients to tackle the most challenging task on their to-do list first. The reason: a feeling of accomplishment gives you momentum to check off other less-daunting tasks throughout the rest of the day – even as your attention span diminishes.

      The same logic can work at the gym: a reverse pyramid – or countdown – format forces you to do the hardest part of the workout first, when you’re physically at your peak, says strength and conditioning trainer Albert Matheny. Then it’s downhill from there: as the number of reps decreases during the workout, the mental momentum you’re building allows you to finish strong, even as your body starts to fatigue.

      Follow this countdown workout from Matheny two or three days a week. Perform five reps of each of the following exercises in order, moving from one to the next without resting. Take a short break (30 to 60 seconds) if needed, then repeat the circuit, completing four reps of each move. Continue until you reach one rep of each move.

      You’ll need: a set of dumbbells that allows you to complete the reps with proper form. Try three to four kilograms to start.

      The 15-Minute Countdown Workout

      Dumbbell Thruster

      Hold a dumbbell in each hand just above your shoulders, palms facing in, then sit your hips back and bend your knees until your thighs are parallel to the floor (A). Push through your heels to stand, pressing the weights overhead (B). Return to start; that’s one rep.

      Reverse Lunge

      Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand at your sides (A). Step back with your right leg and bend both knees as you lower until your left knee is bent 90 degrees (B). Push through your left foot to stand, then repeat on the other side. That’s one rep.

      Renegade Row

      Grab a pair of dumbbells and get into push-up position with your hands on the weights and your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart (A). Brace your core, then bend your right elbow to pull the weight towards your chest, keeping your hips parallel to the floor (B). Slowly lower the weight back to start, then repeat on the other side. That’s one rep.

      Spiderman Plank With Dumbbells

      Start in push-up position with your hands on a pair of dumbbells and feet slightly wider than hip-width apart (A). Brace your core, then bend your right knee towards the outside of your right elbow (B). Pause, then return to start and repeat on the other side. That’s one rep.MAKE IT HARDER: do a push-up between each rep after returning to start position. More

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      Do These 5 Things On Rest Days To *Actually* Recover

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      Allow us to explain. When it comes to reaching your fitness goals, rest and recovery are just as important as all those sweat sessions. Here’s why: when you exercise, you break down muscle fibres. As the fibres heal, they come back stronger. It’s that healing process that reshapes your body – but it only happens when you give your muscles a break. So do your body good by taking a workout breather. Here, some recovery rules that will ensure that you tone effectively in the end and use those rest days effectively.

      1. Get Enough Sleep

      Being sleep-deprived messes with your hormone levels and depletes your energy, resulting in ineffective workouts and cravings for sugar as a source of quick energy. What’s more, your body repairs itself best when you’re sleeping.

      Need some motivation to switch off that series? A study at Stanford University had 1 000 volunteers report the number of hours they slept each night. The people who got less than eight hours of sleep per night had higher body fat content. Aim for seven to eight hours a night.

      2. Take a Break

      Allow at least 24 hours between workouts and give yourself at least one day off every week. Usually, three to four days of strength training weekly is the most your body can handle. (In fact, you can get amazing results with just two a week.) A hard workout won’t help if you don’t allow adequate rest days.

      3. Feed your Muscles

      Studies show that getting a four-to-one ratio of carbs to protein within half an hour of your workout is the best way to offset muscle damage.

      4. Listen To Your Body

      Ignoring muscle soreness or tightness is like continuing to drive your car when the “check engine” light flashes on the dashboard: it just sets you up for bigger problems. If you start to feel pain during exercise, pause to stretch or stop your workout completely. Even better, make time to stretch before or after your routine to keep your body running at its best.

      5. Work Out The Aches

      The healing process sometimes creates adhesions, or scar tissue – those “knots” in your muscles that hurt like hell. Use a foam roller to massage away those adhesions and help keep your body in peak, pain-free condition. More

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      10 Insanely Challenging Yoga Poses That Will Build Serious Strength

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      There’s no shortage of hard yoga pose #inspo on the net these days. But what if you’re actually inspired to try one yourself? Where would you even start? Megan Hochheimer, founder of US-based Karma Yoga Fitness, who frequently posts her own impressive “physics experiments” (her words), shares the benefits of pushing the boundaries of your practice, the requirements for nailing next-level poses, and of course, 10 hard yoga poses to set your sights on along with some pro tips. (Note that many of these tricky poses have a variety of names; the ones included here are what Hochheimer calls them.)

      First and foremost, have fun with it: “Where else can you be a grown-up and get to be barefoot and roll around on the floor and breathe as loud as you want? In your yoga practice, all those things are welcomed, so there’s no reason why some of these tricky poses can’t be a fun adventure.”

      The Benefits of Hard Yoga Poses

      You’ll learn more about your practice.

      “Sometimes I’ll see something in a picture and I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, definitely I could do that.’ But then I end up laughing at myself because there’s no way,” says Hochheimer. On the flip side, with good prep work and practice, she’s nailed poses she never thought she’d be capable of. “It’s cool to find where those nuances are in your own body. That self-study is something that is so encouraged in yoga.”

      You’ll hone functional strength.

      “When you build that strength to get up and down off the ground, balance on one foot or balance on your hands, you’re honing those parts of your physicality that are going to help make all the rest of your activities of daily living so much more enjoyable,” says Hochheimer.

      You’ll finesse your proprioception.

      Other perks include working on your proprioception which, when dull, can lead to balance issues. “In most of these tricky poses there is this element of balance, whether one knee is on the ground, one foot is on the ground, you’re arm balancing, or you’re in an inversion,” explains Hochheimer. “When you start to build that, you’re building concentration and proprioception.”

      Asoka Eco Lux Dreams & Starlight Yoga Mat 

      Sattva Yoga Gear 2 Blocks & Strap

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      READ MORE: 8 Easy Core Yoga Poses That’ll Fire Up Your Abs

      The Hard Yoga Pose Prerequisites

      Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously.

      Some poses could take years to master while you may be able to do others right away. “What’s really important is that we don’t take ourselves too seriously about any of it,” says Hochheimer. “If you’re going to approach this in a really competitive way, sometimes that invites injury. Whereas if you approach it in a playful way, and just stay with yourself through the process, I think that it’s a very healthy exploration.”

      Bail Like A Kid.

      Know this: You’re going to fall out of arm balances and inversions. “All of us who have learned how to do them fall in one way or another, so the more you can understand your body mechanics and how you do that, the safer you can be when you do have to bail.” When you’re a little kid, you’re riding your bike, you fall off, you roll into the grass and you’re not hurt that badly. So, before attempting any of these poses, just do some cartwheels and rolls on the ground to get back in touch with that part of yourself and practice safely falling.

      Really, Really Warm Up.

      The better you warm up, the better you’ll be able to get into these poses. And not for nothing, Hochheimer notes that they’ll look more aesthetically pleasing to boot. A 10-minute vigorous flow should get your heart rate up and muscles warm, but be sure to specifically target the areas you’ll use in each pose as well.

      Take Videos or Photos.

      “Sometimes in my head, I thought things were going to look one way, but then they look a different way in a picture or video,” Hochheimer says. “Viewing them afterwards helps me to make tiny adjustments or understand that I need to do my homework and develop more triceps strength with decline push-ups, or foam roll, or whatever it is. That helps you learn because you’re not just then repetitively going back into these patterns of failure.”

      Practice—And Consider Pro Help.

      Remember: These are hard yoga poses! “With all yoga, a lot of it is practice so just keep coming back to it,” advises Hochheimer. Working with an experienced teacher can help you to more safely and quickly nail them.

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      1. Camel Variation

      Expert Tip: Camel Pose is such a great opening of the front of our body that sometimes gets tight with a lot of our more strenuous Vinyasa. The arm variation here is a big shoulder stretch. Be sure to warm up your shoulders extra well before trying it.

      READ MORE: These Are The 4 Best Yoga Moves For A Toned Tummy 

      2. Peacock Pose

      Expert Tip: Remember that your legs are just as strong when you get upside down as they were when you were standing on them – keep them super active in this pose.

      3. Tripod Headstand Variation

      Expert Tip: Work on your scapular mobility before you try this one. To do so, hold a yoga block overhead between the hands at its widest angle. With straight arms, try to “push” the block towards the ceiling without shrugging your shoulders up around your ears. As you “pull” the block back down, don’t bend the elbows but do use the back muscles to create the sensation of the pull. Keeping squeezing the block between the hands through both phases of the movement. Repeat several times for scapular mobilisation.

      4. Baby Grasshopper

      Expert Tip: Sit on the floor with the right leg extending out in front. Step the left foot over the right leg and twist the torso to the right so that both hands come to the floor in line with the left foot. Press into the hands and bend elbows into chaturanga (upper arm parallel to the floor). Practise engaging the inner thigh to lift the right leg up (or use a block under the right hip to get lift-off). Lean towards the right inner arm and use core muscles to hold the body still as the left-hand grabs the right big toe.

      5. Eight-Angle Pose

      Expert Tip: This one grows out of that Baby Grasshopper. Work on your Chaturanga or tricep push-ups as prep work and focus on squeezing your inner thighs in the pose.

      6. Baby Crow Pose

      Expert Tip: If there’s a pose here to try first, it’s this one. It’s deceptively tricky-looking, but not as hard for most people to accomplish. It’s almost like a flying Child’s Pose. Start in a forearm plank, then walk your feet a little wider and start to tippy-toe in until you feel your knees touch the backs of your arms. Then, come into a Cat spine, look forward, and shift your weight forward.

      7. Split Pose Variation

      Expert Tip: Work on hamstring, quad, and hip flexor mobility before attempting this pose. You could try Pigeon Pose and half splits with blocks.

      8. Side Plank With Big Toe Grab

      Expert Tip: Here, you’re working internal rotation of one leg, external rotation of the other, core strength, and balance. The prep for balancing in this pose can be found in the Pose of Infinity: Lay on your right side with a yoga strap in your left hand. Rest your head on your right hand or arm. Extend both legs and try to keep the body in a straight line. Reach down and pull the left foot into the strap. Slowly extend the left leg up towards the ceiling. Use the strap in your left hand to control the stretch and hold the left foot up and focus on keeping the torso and right leg stable (try to limit the wobble forward and back). Repeat on the other side.

      READ MORE: Ease Tight Muscles And Lift Your Mood With This Quick First-Thing Yoga Flow 

      9. Bound Forward Fold

      Expert Tip: This one goes in the family of the Kneeling Compass (and it’s a prep for Bird of Paradise). The difference is that this one requires a bind, which means you’re taking double internal rotation of your shoulders. Use a strap in your hands as they come across your back to make it more accessible.

      10. Flying Split (Eka Pada Koundinyasana)

      Expert Tip: This balance-challenging pose is a partner to Kneeling Compass because it requires the same joint actions, hamstring flexibility, and external rotation of the top leg, internal rotation of the bottom leg. Work on your Chaturanga or tricep push-ups as prep work.

      *Words: Caitlin Carlson

      *This article was first published on Women’s Health US.

      Women’s Health participates in various affiliate marketing programmes, which means we may get commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.  More

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      3 Things To Look For When Buying A Hiking Backpack (Plus, 8 Amazing Ones To Buy Right Now)

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      Heading out for a hike is the perfect way to spend time with your friends, family or yourself. But before you search for your nearest mountain, there are things you need to know about hiking backpacks.

      We’ve got the lowdown on what to look for in hiking backpacks, the best ones and the essentials you need to pack.

      3 Things To Look For When Buying A Hiking Backpack

      1. Comfort

      A hiking backpack needs to distribute weight evenly. Seriously, the most important factor to keep in mind is comfort. No matter how many cool features it has, if the bag doesn’t sit comfortably on your back and shoulders, it’s not right for you.

      2. Size

      The backpack’s size is important; work out if you’d prefer a wider and shorter or longer and thinner bag. Obviously a bag that isn’t absurdly huge is first prize. But think about the duration of your hikes and how much you would need to take. Your needs for a short day hike (snacks/water) are different to a full-day hike (lunch, water, additional clothes). Internal storage becomes a big component here; it’s the difference between having enough room or having to take multiple bags.

      3. Padding

      The key to a comfortable backpack is a balanced load. Too little padding will not protect your body from the strains of weight and can cause painful chafing. Similarly, too much padding will cause awkward and uncomfortable pressure against your body, which might lead to soreness… or you standing in a strange way to ease the pressure. A decent backpack should have padding on the back panel, shoulder straps and hip belt strap.

      READ MORE: The 6 Greatest Recovery Tools That Ease Tight Muscles

      Best Hiking Backpacks You Can Buy Right Now

      1. Thule AllTrail

      Best For: Day Hikes

      All your gear is within reach thanks to the easy-access side zippers and front shove-it pocket. The dedicated hydration sleeve frees up space for other essentials like keys and snacks. There’s even an integrated rain cover so the weather will never be a problem.

      MRP 22 litre Hiking Backpack

      Best For: Budget Hikers

      Who says you need to spend a fortune to get a pack with great features? This quick-drying and durable day pack has cushioned straps, a padded back panel and a sternum strap for extra security and comfort. And the webbing and elastic cords allow you to attach a variety of accessories and items. Love!

      Salomon Outlife 20 Unisex Backpack

      Best For: Versatile Hikers On The Go

      Drawing on their trail-running expertise, Salomon has created a robust yet versatile pack that adapts to life on the move and new destinations (hey digital nomads!). Combining a comfy harness with multiple pockets, compartments and carrying solutions, this pack is just waiting for you to make it your own.

      Thule Stir

      Best For: When you need something lightweight

      The simple, clean design offers quick access via the top zippered mesh pocket and über organization for all your items.  If you want it even more streamlined, simply remove the sternum strap and hip belt. Plus, you can stash water bottles and other essentials in the expandable side pockets.

      MRP 30-litre Hiking Backpack

      Best For: Budget Large Day-Pack

      With many of the same features as the 22-litre pack above, you’ll get an extra 8 litres for those long day hikes where you need to pack food, water and perhaps a change of clothes. And at R899, you can’t go wrong.

      READ MORE: Long-Distance Trail Running: Here’s Exactly How To Prep And Push Through

      Salomon Out Night 30+5 Unisex Backpack

      Best For: Overnight Hikes

      Engineered for comfort on the go, this pack is ready for any fast-paced adventure up to 2 days. Clean, modern and with a harness system that lets the pack move with you, it doesn’t get much better than this. Bonus: there are gear attachments that put your poles, ice axes or accessories within easy reach. And a removable lid adds 5L of capacity.

      Thule Sapling

      Best For: Hiking with kids

      This child carrier is safe and comfortable, plus quick and easy to adjust to fit any parent. On-the-go adjustments are made even easier, as you can load your child from the top or the side of the carrier. The deployable sunshade means that your precious cargo is protected from the harsh sun. Plus, store water, nappies, clothes and other bigger items in the zippered compartment and use the extra roomy zippered mesh pockets for emergency items like snacks, toys and keys.

      Hiking Essentials To Take With You

      1. Comfortable shoes and socks

      2. A hat & sunscreen

      3. Water & snacks or a light lunch

      4. Flint / matches and a warm jacket

      5. A hiking backpack and accessories

      Women’s Health participates in various affiliate marketing programmes, which means we may get commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

      Kelleigh Korevaar

      Kelleigh is the Managing Editor of Women’s Health. When she’s not convincing her colleagues to try the latest TikTok trends, you can find her planning a holiday that never leaves the group chat, binge-reading or eating her way through Cape Town. More

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      This Arm Sculpting Workout Tones And Seriously Torches Kilojoules

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      Hooray for longer days and warm sunshine! But if the saying “sun’s out, guns out” fills you with trepidation, don’t stress. Sculpting your biceps and triceps (the muscles at the front and back of your arms) with this arm sculpting workout will make your arms look more toned and reduce the appearance of arm flag. What’s more, more muscle in your arms means no more upper-arm jiggling.

      The Arm Sculpting Workout

      Ready to load those guns? This workout will get you there. Start with the first move and complete all sets before moving on to the next move. Continue until you’ve done all moves.

      You’ll need: A pair of dumbbells and a medicine ball. Start with light weights and go heavier once you’ve mastered the form.

      One-Arm Row Kickback

      Sets: 3

      Reps: 10-12

      Rest: 60 seconds

      Bend forward slightly at the hips. With your left hand at your side, hold a dumbbell in your right hand, palm facing in and arm extended toward the floor. Pull the dumbbell up to your waist, keeping your arm close to your body. When your elbow hits 90 degrees, straighten your arm behind you so that it’s parallel to the floor.

      21s

      Sets: 2

      Reps: 21

      Rest: 60 seconds

      Stand with a dumbbell in each hand, palms forward. Curl until elbows hit 90 degrees, then lower to start; do seven reps. Follow immediately with seven more curls, this time bringing the dumbbells to your armpits, then lowering until your elbows reach 90 degrees. Finish with seven complete curls, lowering the dumbbells to your hips and curling them all the way up.

      Lateral Raise

      Sets: 2

      Reps: 10

      Stand with feet shoulder-width apart with a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing each other, arms in front with elbows slightly bent. Raise arms until parallel to the floor. Return slowly.

      Walkover Push-ups

      Sets: 1

      Reps: 5 each side

      With a medicine ball that’s big enough for you to place both of your hands on it, get into a push-up position. Place your left hand on the ball and your right hand on the floor, and do a push-up. At the top of the exercise, walk your right hand onto the ball, place your left hand on the floor, and do another push-up. (If you’re a beginner, try these on your knees.) More

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      11 Reasons You Just Can’t Lose Weight, No Matter What You Try

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      So you’re eating well and working out but that number on the scale still won’t budge. If you can’t lose weight, know this: a caloric deficit is the only way the number on the scale can drop. But sneaky lifestyle habits could be what’s getting between yourself and creating fewer calories in than calories out. We’ve rounded up a few of the ways you could be sabotaging your weight loss without knowing it.

      1. You eat with your hands

      A new study suggests that people who use tongs to serve themselves food actually eat about 30 per cent less of it. Even if you’re eating with cutlery, you may be eating too quickly for your body to slowly register satiety. Try eating with chopsticks – experts say it slows down your eating, allowing you to register fullness faster – before you wolf down all those noodles.

      2. You’re drinking too much

      Most people overlook liquid kilojoules entirely, says Felicia Stoler, registered dietician and author of Living Skinny in Fat Genes. So don’t expect to notice when a seemingly single-sized juice can or bottle actually contains two or three servings – and two to three times more kilojoules. Your best bet: Replace juice with water, and eat your kilojoules instead of drinking them, she says.

      3. You eat fruity yoghurt

      Most fruit-flavoured yoghurts – and plenty of other healthy-sounding foods – are sweetened with fructose. But unlike other sweeteners, this one doesn’t tell your brain you’re full, according to a new study. The result: You end up eating way more kilojoules than your body actually needs.

      4. You hit up happy hour – A LOT

      People don’t realise just how many kilojoules they drink, says Stoler. What’s more, the alcohol in your cocktail can reduce your inhibitions, so you hit the happy hour menu (hello, nachos!) even harder. To imbibe without overdoing it, switch to water after drinking one or two of them.

      5. You’re overdoing it at breakfast

      While the standard serving size for cereal is about two-thirds of a cup, breakfast bowls can hold much, much more. So when you fill yours to the brim with cereal and top it off with milk, you could be eating twice as many kilojoules as you think – or more, leading you to think you’re being conscious even though you feel you can’t lose weight.

      6. You treat yourself a little TOO often

      When you indulge in sweet or fatty foods like ice cream regularly, you end up craving larger portions to feel satisfied, says Stoler. Need a sweet treat every day? A new study published in the journal Food Quality and Preference found that a few bites really will satisfy you just as much as a larger serving.

      7. You’re guzzling fizzy drinks

      Drinking kilojoule-free sweeteners is like dumping water in your gas tank instead of petrol, says Stoler. (For non-mechanics: It fills you up, but doesn’t keep your motor running.) When hunger strikes, drink water instead, and fill up on wholesome foods to drive off hunger pangs later.

      8. You’re depriving yourself

      Often when we think we can’t lose weight, we tend to cut out whole food groups (like carbs or fat, for instance). When you do that, you set yourself up to binge eat them the next time you let yourself splurge. So instead of crossing them off your grocery list, entirely, learn how to manage your cravings.

      9. You order the “regular” size

      Think you’re in the clear because you downsized your large order of chips? Turns out, people actually consume more kilojoules when they order regular-sized menu items than when they order portions advertised as “double-sized”, according to a new study.

      10. You’re staying up too late

      People who hit the sack on the late side tend to eat more high-fat and high-kilojoule foods than those who tuck in earlier, according to a recent study. No wonder they also gain more weight.

      11. You think working out gives you a “pass”

      Exercising can make you want to eat more – but that doesn’t mean you should, says Stoler. And it doesn’t help that most people grossly overestimate the number of kilojoules they torch at the gym. The good news: picking up the pace might actually decrease food cravings, according to a new study. More

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      These Are The Stretches You Should Be Doing Before Race Day 

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      For those with a race coming up, here is a quick routine of running stretches that you should do the day before to get your body prepped for the race!

      This is especially important if:

      You’ve flown to the event and have been sitting in a cramped aeroplane seat.

      You’ve been tapering and your body is feeling cranky.

      You’ve been sitting behind a computer a lot the week before the race.

      Your muscles are tight from all the training you’ve been doing in the build-up.

      Runners typically develop tight hamstrings, shorter muscles and tightness in the hips and groin area. This tightness could lead to injury and less than ideal performance on race day.

      Follow this routine for a good pre-race stretch (you can do it the day after race day too, to help with recovery).

      Remember, your body might be cold when you start moving, so make sure you move carefully and with intention, holding poses longer than you would initially (or in a vinyasa flow class).

      READ MORE: These Pilates-Fusion Moves Strengthen, Lengthen And Tone

      1/ Downward Dog

      Good for: Tight hamstrings and calves.

      Start with: Get into downward dog position with your body forming a triangle. Many runners won’t be able to get their feet flat on the ground – and this is fine. Spend about 2 minutes in this pose pedalling out your legs by lifting one heel and then the other and then teasing your heels closer towards the mat. It’s also good for your shoulders.

      2/ Low Lunge

      Good for: Hip flexors, hamstrings and quads

      Start with: From Downward Dog, raise your right leg into the sky behind you and then bring it forward beneath you, placing your foot between your hands. Drop your back knee onto the mat and raise your hands towards the sky. You should feel a nice, deep stretch in the groin area. Hold for 10 breaths and then repeat on the other side.

      3/ Runner’s Lunge

      Good for: Hip flexors, hamstrings and quads

      Start with: From Downward Dog, raise your right leg into the sky behind you and then bring it forward beneath you, placing your foot on the outside and in line with your right hand. This is an even deeper stretch, especially if you keep your back leg lifted. Hold this for 5 breaths and then drop your back knee. Place your right hand on the inside of your right leg and gently guide it, so that it opens up more to the side, opening your groin up more. Hold for 5 breaths. Let go of your knee and see if you can plant both forearms beneath your shoulders, down on the mat, on the inside of your right foot. Try and keep both elbows on the mat. Hold for 10 breaths This will deepen the stretch even more. repeat on the other side.

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      4/ Toes Pose

      Good for: Preventing plantar fasciitis

      Start with: Kneel on the mat and curl your toes under then sit your back on your heels. Hold for 10 breaths. You should feel a great stretch on the underneath side of your feet. Then flatten your feet while pointing your toes behind you. Actively lift your knees into the air to feel a great stretch on the top of your feet. This is great for your shins and arches.

      5/ Butterfly Pose

      Good for: Strengthens and opens hips and groin

      Start with: In a seated position, back straight, legs out in front of you, bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together. Bring your heels as close to your pelvis as they can go, without pain. Wrap your hands around your toes and consciously work your knees towards the floor for 10 breaths. You can also use your hands to peel the top part of your feet open, elbows pressed into your knees so that the soles are facing towards the sky. Hold for another 10 breaths. For an additional variation, lie down on your back and keep your legs in the soles-touching-knees-out position. Stretch out your arms reaching for the wall behind you. Hold for 10 breaths.

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      6/ Seated spinal twist

      Good for: Loosening stiff spine, neck and shoulders

      Start with: Sit with your legs out in front of you. Cross your right leg over the left, knee pointed towards the sky and the sole of your foot on the ground. Place your left palm on the floor at the base of your spine. Reach your right arm across your body and push it against the outside of your right thigh, near your knee, to deepen the twist. Hold for 10 breaths. Repeat on the other side.

      7/ Cow Face Pose

      Good for: hips

      Start with: From all fours, cross your right knee over the left, stacking one on top of the other. Sit down between your legs rooting both sit bones on the mat. If one sit bone is higher than the other, rest on a block or blanket. This is a very tricky position for runners as hips are usually so tight. If you experience any pain or feel that this position is too hard on your body, try the reclined version, by starting with lying down on your back. Cross your knees and send your feet out to the sides. Hold on to your right foot with your left hand and your left foot with your right hand. Or if it’s more comfortable, hold your shins. Pull your heels in towards your body, then out to the sides and slightly up. Hold for 10 breaths, then reverse leg position and repeat.

      8/ Reclining Pigeon

      Good for: Releases tension and tightness in the hips

      Start with: Lie on your back with your knees bent, and your thighs parallel and hip-distance apart. Cross your left ankle over your right thigh. Reach your left arm through the space between your thighs and reach your right arm around the outside of your right thigh. Clasp your hands below your right knee and flex your left foot. If your head comes off your mat, place a pillow or block behind your head. Hold for 10 breaths and repeat on the other side.

      9/ Bridge

      Good for: shoulders, core

      Start with: Lie down on your back. Bend your knees and place the soles of your flat on the ground in front of your bum, toes facing forwards. With your arms placed alongside your torso, you should be able to touch your ankles with your fingertips. Now slowly, hold your core strong and lift first your lower back, then middle back, then upper back off the ground. Hold your hips up as high as you can for 10 breaths. Then release slowly back down. Do this a second time except with the second bridge, clasp your hands underneath you, opening up your shoulders more by rolling your shoulder blades towards each other and creating more lift. This is a great counterpose to running because we’re often hunched forwards.

      10/ Legs up against the wall

      Good for: Relieves tension in legs and feet and stretches hamstring and glutes.

      Start with: Sidle up beside an open wall space, with your hips as close to the base of the wall as is comfortable. Swing your legs up the wall and lie back. Rest here anywhere from 10 breaths to 10 minutes. This can replace a standard savasana. More